As new Stanford head coach David Shaw convened his first spring football practice Monday, it was clear that Andrew Luck didn't develop any rust on his passing touch since the Orange Bowl.

It was less clear who his main targets will be in the fall. Seniors Doug Baldwin and Ryan Whalen will be gone, and Chris Owusu was excused from Monday's practice as he continues to recover from an injury from last season. "He's got nothing to prove to me," Shaw said.

Owusu was hampered by injuries most of last season, and if that trend continues, Stanford might be looking for two starting wide receivers, not just one.

Griff Whalen, who caught 17 passes last season in a backup role, looked the best of the group Monday. He made the team as a walk-on in 2008 and is entering his senior season.

"This year, I see a much bigger role for myself," he said. "I learned a lot from the leaders who were here last year, Doug and Ryan. My route running and my technique have gotten a lot better."

Two wide receivers who entered school with high hopes in 2009, Jamal-Rashad Patterson and Drew Terrell, have yet to deliver on that promise. Terrell became a threat as a punt returner last year.

Patterson has been a bigger mystery. He has the height (6-foot-3), the speed and the hands to be a major player but hasn't been able to break into a regular role. He has only six catches in two years.

"It was a humbling experience coming out of high school after being the main guy," he said. "We had older guys who did a great job. Now there's a chance for me to show my talent."

He thinks he's better able to show what he can do because he finally has mastered the playbook. "Early on, you're thinking so much that you're hesitant on which route to run," he said. "Now it comes second nature. You can just play football."

He didn't help his case by being ejected from the Big Game for throwing a punch at a Cal player shortly after the coin toss. He said the Cal player spit on him and he retaliated.

"It happened so fast I didn't think about the consequences," he said.

Briefly: Corey Gatewood, previously a defensive back, has been switched to wide receiver. ... Running back Usua Amanam practiced at cornerback; Shaw said he'll be tried at several positions. ... It was thought that running back Jeremy Stewart's eligibility had run out, but he'll be back for another year because he saw limited action in 2009. ... The first unit is far from set, but the offensive line started with Khalil Wilkes at center, Kevin Danser at left guard and Tyler Mabry at right tackle, along with holdovers Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro.